Optical disk cartridge

ABSTRACT

An optical disk cartridge includes a casing having an accommodating section, and a holder capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from the accommodating section while holding the disk. In the optical disk cartridge, the holder is provided with an incorrect-insertion-preventing section for preventing incorrect insertion of the holder into said casing with respect to top and bottom faces thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical disk cartridge into which anoptical disk can be inserted and removed.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 35 shows a conventional optical disk cartridge. Referring to FIG.35, a casing 21 for accommodating therein an optical disk D has anaccommodating section 21 a and an opening provided in one side facethereof for inserting and removing the disk D into and from thecartridge.

A lid 22 having tongues 22 a is attached to the opening 21 b so as to beopened and closed.

In the insertion and removal of the disk D, top and bottom faces of thedisk D are sandwiched by the tongues 22 a so that the disk D is insertedinto and removed from the accommodating section 21 a. This prevents thedisk D from being contaminated by fingerprints and the like.

In such a conventional optical disk cartridge, since the lid 22 has asymmetrical shape, the lid 22 may be incorrectly attached to the casing21 with respect to the top and bottom faces.

In addition, in the conventional optical disk cartridge, the top andbottom faces of the lid 22 cannot be distinguished at a glance.

Furthermore, in accordance with the incorrect insertion of the lid 22,the disk D may be incorrectly inserted with respect to the top andbottom faces thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anoptical disk cartridge into which a disk can be inserted and removed,and in which incorrect insertion of the disk with respect to the top andbottom faces thereof can be prevented.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an opticaldisk cartridge including: a casing having an accommodating section; anda holder capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from theaccommodating section while holding the disk; wherein the holder isprovided with an incorrect-insertion-preventing section for preventingincorrect insertion of the holder into the casing with respect to topand bottom faces thereof.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, theincorrect-insertion-preventing section is formed by providing a recessin one of the holder and the casing, and providing a projection in theother of the holder and the casing.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the holder mayhave a base part exposed from the casing, theincorrect-insertion-preventing section may be provided on the base part,and the incorrect-insertion section may be exposed from the casing so asto be distinguished from the outside of the casing.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, theincorrect-insertion-preventing section may be formed using a side wallof the casing in the thickness direction thereof.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casing may be providedon a side wall of the casing forming the accommodating section of thecasing, and the incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the holder maybe provided on a side portion opposing the side wall.

The casing may have a top cover and a bottom cover forming top andbottom sides, the incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casingengageable with the incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the holdermay be provided on one of the top cover and the bottom cover, a spacethrough which the incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the holderis passable may be provided between the top of theincorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casing and the top coveror the bottom cover, and the holder may be prevented from beingincorrectly inserted with respect to the top and bottom faces thereof bya state where the incorrect-insertion-preventing section of said holderis passable through the space and a state where theincorrect-insertion-preventing section of the holder engages with theincorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casing.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the holder mayhave a base part, an elastic arm provided with a slit so that there iselasticity on the base part; and a convex fallout-preventing sectionprovided on a side portion of the elastic arm. In addition, thefallout-preventing section may passe over theincorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casing to engage with theincorrect-insertion-preventing section of the casing to thereby preventthe holder from falling out of the casing.

The casing may be provided with a stopper section so that, in theinsertion of the holder into said casing, after the fallout-preventingsection has passed over the incorrect-insertion-preventing section ofthe casing, the holder abuts against the stopper section so as toprevent further insertion of the holder.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing section of the holder may abutagainst the stopper section so as to prevent further insertion of theholder.

Top and bottom faces of the base part may be formed with identificationmarks for identifying top and bottom faces.

Each of the identification marks may be formed by a device foridentifying the top and bottom faces tactilly.

Each of the identification marks may consist of an elliptical recess,and projections formed in the recess with different numbers for the topand bottom faces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical disk cartridge accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical disk cartridge according tothe first embodiment of the present invention when it is turned upsidedown;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the optical cartridge according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4—4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5—5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion represented by Z in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7—7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates movement of an operation part and an operationelement of the optical disc cartridge according to the first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9—9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates the relationship between the optical disk cartridgeaccording to the first embodiment and a disk driving apparatus accordingto the present invention:

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a bottom cover in the optical disk cartridgeaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion represented by X inFIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a holder for the optical disk cartridgeaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the holder;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the holder;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the holder;

FIG. 20 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 21—21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22—22 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line 24—24 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25—25 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the operation part of the optical diskcartridge;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27—27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the operation element of the optical diskcartridge;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along the line 29—29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a principal part of a holder ofthe optical disk cartridge according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a principal part of a casing of theoptical disk cartridge according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along the line 32—32 in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view showing a state where the holder iscorrectly inserted into the casing;

FIG. 34 is a sectional view showing a state where the holder isincorrectly inserted into the casing; and

FIG. 35 is a partly exploded perspective view of a conventional opticaldisk cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While optical disk cartridges exist for DVD-RAM disks of 120 mm indiameter, optical disk cartridges for DVD-RAM disks of 80 mm in diameterare being researched.

The present invention provides an optical disk a cartridge for 80 mmdisks which can be applied to optical disk cartridges for 120 mm disks,and to a disk driving apparatus for the optical disk cartridge for 120mm disks.

A first embodiment of an optical disk cartridge of the present inventionapplied to the 80-mm disks used for the DVD-RAM will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 29.

A casing 1 consists of top and bottom covers 2 and 3 which are moldedarticles made of synthetic resin.

Since the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 have nearly the sameconstruction, only the bottom cover 3 will be described in detail.Regarding the top cover 2, portions thereof which differ from those ofthe bottom cover 3 will also be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, the bottom cover 3 includes a planar wall 3a, a pair of side walls 3 b provided on the left and right of the wall 3a, and a rectangular cutout 3 e which is formed in front of the wall 3 awith spaces 3 c and 3 d remaining between the side walls 3 b.

In addition, the bottom cover 3 includes front walls 3 f and 3 gprovided at left and right front positions corresponding to the spaces 3c and 3 d. The front walls 3 f and 3 g are provided with recesses 3 h ofdifferent shapes at positions exposed to the outside so as to formincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the space 3 c of the wall 3 a is providedwith operating slots 3 i and 3 j, and a breakable blocking part 3 mconsisting of a projection and having thin-walled parts 3 k at the baseportion thereof which are sequentially arranged side by side.

The space 3 d of the wall 3 a is provided with a circular discriminationhole 3 n for discriminating whether or not information can be written onthe disk, a circular discrimination hole 3 p for discriminating whetheror not the checking for defective regions has been completed, and acircular blocking part-removing hole 3 q which are sequentially arrangedside by side. The discrimination hole 3 n and the operating slot 3 i,the discrimination hole 3 p and the operating slot 3 j, and the hole 3 qand the blocking part 3 m are provided at positions equidistant from thecenter of the wall 3 a.

The bottom cover 3 includes a spring receiver 3 r formed on the rearthereof, a substantially circular clamping window 3 s formed in thecenter thereof, a rectangular reading and writing window 3 t providedcontinuously with the clamping window 3 s, projections 3 u formed on theborder of the clamping window 3 s and the reading and writing windows 3t so as to narrow the width of the window 3 t, an arcuate rim 3 vprovided on the rear of the inside of the bottom cover 3, regulatingparts 3 w connected to both ends of the rim 3 v and extending rearwardinclined relative to the side walls 3 b, a base 3 x provided over thecentral portion of the inside of the bottom cover 3, a pair of latchingrecesses 3 y provided at opposing positions of the side walls 3 b, and arectangular recessed part 3 z provided on the back of the wall 3 a ofthe bottom cover 3.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the window 3 t for reading and writing, anoptical head linearly moves so as to read and write information from andon the disk D. When the direction of movement of the optical head istaken as a vertical direction E, and the direction orthogonal to thevertical direction E is taken as a horizontal direction F, the clampingwindow 3 s is formed by arcuate parts J each having a radius of 14 mmfrom the center C of the window 3 s (the same as the center C of thedisk D), i.e., having a diameter G of 28 mm in the vertical direction E,and a pair of linear parts K having a width of 27.4 mm in the horizontaldirection F and parallel to the direction of movement of the opticalhead, i.e., the vertical direction E. The arcuate parts J connect thelinear parts K.

That is, the clamping window 3 s has a diameter (28 mm) in the verticaldirection E which is larger than the width (27.4 mm) in the horizontaldirection F.

The same construction applies to a clamping window 2 s of the top cover2, and the diameter G may preferably be ±2 mm of 28 mm, and the width Hmay preferably be ±2 mm of 27.4 mm due to the relationship between theentire width of the casing 1 for the 80 mm disk and a motor (describedhereinbelow) of the disk driving apparatus for the 120 mm disk.

The details of the top cover 2 are omitted, and only some of thecomponents and the reference numerals thereof are shown in the figures.

As will be understood from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the topcover 2 differs from the bottom cover 3 in that a recessed part 2 z isformed on the surface of the wall 2 a of the top cover 2, in that aspace 2 f of the wall 2 a is provided with a discrimination hole 2 n fordiscriminating whether or not the information can be written on the diskD, a discrimination hole 2 p for determining whether or not the checkingfor defective regions has been completed, and a blocking part-removinghole 2 q, and in that a space 2 g of the wall 2 a is provided withoperating slots 2 i and 2 j arranged side by side, and a breakableblocking part 2 m consisting of a projection and having thin-walledparts 2 k at the base portion thereof.

The top cover 2 and the bottom cover 3 constructed as described aboveare combined vertically to thereby form the casing 1.

When the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, an accommodatingsection 1 a for accommodating the optical disk D and the like is formedtherebetween, and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A havingrecesses of different shapes are formed between the front walls 2 f and2 g and 3 f and 3 g, as shown in FIG. 3.

In addition, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, thediscrimination hole 2 n of the top cover opposes a part of the operatingslot 3 i of the bottom cover 3, the discrimination hole 2 p opposes apart of the operating slot 3 j, and the hole 2 q opposes the blockingpart 3 m on the right side of the casing 1, and the discrimination hole3 n of the bottom cover 3 opposes a part of the operating slot 2 i ofthe top cover 2, the discrimination hole 3 p opposes a part of theoperating slot 2 j, and the blocking part 2 m opposes the hole 3 q onthe left side of the casing 1.

Closing parts 1 b for closing the operating slots 3 i and 3 j are formedadjacent to the discrimination holes 2 n and 2 p of the wall 2 aopposing the operating slots 3 i and 3 j, and closing parts 1 c forclosing the operating slots 2 i and 2 j are formed adjacent to thediscrimination holes 3 n and 3 p of the wall 3 a opposing the operatingslots 2 i and 2 j.

Furthermore, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, aclamping window 2 s and a reading and writing window 2 t of the topcover 2 opposes the clamping window 3 s and the reading and writingwindow 3 t of the bottom cover 3, a rim 2 v and regulating parts 2 w ofthe top cover 2 abut against the rim 3 v and the regulating parts 3 w ofthe bottom cover 3, a space for holding the disk D is secured betweenbases 2 x and 3 x, and latching recesses 2 y and 3 y are formed in theside walls 2 b and 3 b.

A shutter 4 is made of a U-shaped metal plate and consists of arectangular plate part 4 a for closing the clamping window 2 s and thereading and writing window 2 t, a rectangular plate part 4 b for closingthe clamping window 3 s and the reading and writing window 3 t, and aconnecting part 4 c for connecting the plate parts 4 a and 4 b.

The connecting part 4 c is located on the rear of the casing 1, theplate parts 4 a and 4 b are disposed in the recessed parts 2 z and 3 zso that the shutter 4 can move within the range of the recessed parts 2z and 3 z.

Spring members (not shown) are placed in the spring receivers 2 r and 3r, and the shutter 4 is normally located by the spring members at aneutral position to close the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s and thereading and writing windows 2 t and 3 t. When the shutter 4 is moved tothe right side or the left side against the spring members, the shutter4 opens the windows 2 s, 3 s, 2 t, and 3 t. When the biasing force tothe shutter 4 is terminated, the shutter 4 is returned by the springmembers to the neutral position again to close the windows 2 s, 3 s, 2t, and 3 t.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, a holder 5 which is a (molded article madeof synthetic resin includes a base part 5 a, a pair of elastic arms 5 bprovided at both ends of the base part 5 a to accurately extendrearward, a pair of triangular projections 5 c provided at the terminalends of the elastic arms 5 b, holding parts 5 d projecting from theupper and lower surfaces of the elastic arms 5 b near the terminal endsof the elastic arms 5 b, an exposed part 5 e continuously connected tothe inner surfaces of the elastic arms 5 b to form the base part 5 a,and a groove 5 f provided behind the exposed part 5 e.

The elastic arms 5 b have spring properties on the side of the disk D,i.e., in mutually opposing each other. The disk D is inserted into thegroove 5 f between the elastic arms 5 b, the holding parts 5 d hold apart of the upper and lower surfaces of the disk D, and the elastic arms5 b hold the left and right peripheries of the disk D.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the elastic arms 5 b extend rearwardfrom the base part 5 a while exceeding the size of the radius R of thedisk D, and the holding parts 5 d are formed at positions across theradius R of the disk D so as to hold the disk D at positions rearward ofthe center C of the disk D from the base part 5 a.

The holder 5 can be inserted into and removed from the accommodatingsection 1 a with the disk D held by the elastic arms 5 b. When theholder 5 is accommodated in the accommodating section 1 a together withthe disk D, the projections 5 c abut against the regulating parts 2 wand 3 w, as shown in FIG. 5. When the holder 5 is further pushed in, theelastic arms 5 b are spread out in a direction to separate from theperipheries of the disk D, whereby the holding of the peripheries of thedisk D by the elastic arms 5 b is released, and the deformation of theelastic arms 5 c toward the disk D is prevented by the regulating parts2 w and 3 w.

When the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1, the exposed part 5 e islocated in the cutouts 2 e and 3 e so as to be exposed.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the elastic arms 5 bseparate from the regulating parts 2 w and 3 w and return toward thedisk D due to the spring properties thereof to hold the disk D, wherebythe holder 5 can be removed together with the disk D held thereby.

The holder 5 includes a pair of extended parts 5 g located on both sidesof the exposed part 5 e to form a part of the base part 5 a, a pair offirst receiving parts 5 h, each comprising a substantially rectangularhole, provided in the pair of extended parts 5 g at positionsequidistant from the widthwise central part of the holder 5, first guideparts 5 i each consisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5 h,and a pair of V-shaped recesses 5 j spaced apart in the first guideparts 5 j.

The first receiving parts 5 h coincide with the discrimination holes 2 nand 3 n provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively.

The holder 5 also includes a pair of second receiving parts 5 k, eachcomprising a substantially rectangular wide hole, provided in theoutside of the first receiving parts 5 h at positions equidistant fromthe widthwise central part of the holder 5, second guide parts 5 m eachconsisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5 k, and a pair ofV-shaped recesses 5 n spaced apart in the second guide parts 5 m.

The second receiving parts 5 k coincide with the discrimination holes 2p and 3 p provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively,and blocking parts 2 m and 3 m.

In addition, the holder 5 includes identification marks 5 p formed ontop and bottom faces of the exposed part 5 e. Each of the identificationmarks 5 p consists of an elliptical recess 5 q and a projection 5 rprovided on the recess 5 q. As shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, one projection 5r is provided on the top face of the base part 5 a, and two projections5 r are provided on the bottom face of the base part 5 a so that top andbottom faces of each of the identification marks 5 p can be identifiedtactilly.

The holder 5 includes incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B providedon the extended parts 5 g. The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections Bhave recesses 5 s of different shapes provided in the left and rightextended parts 5 g, as shown in FIG. 17. Theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 coincide withthe incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A formed on the casing 1. Ifthe holder 5 is turned upside down and an attempt is made to insert itinto the casing 1, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and Bdisenable the holder 5 being inserted into the casing 1.

The holder 5 includes a pair of locking parts 5 t, each having springproperties, provided on both sides thereof. When the holder 5 isinserted into the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1, thelatching parts 5 t are inserted into the casing 1 in a state ofelastically contacting the side walls 2 b and 3 b of the top and bottomcovers 2 and 3, and when the latching parts 5 t coincide with thelatching recesses 2 y and 3 y, the latching parts 5 t spread out due tothe spring properties thereof to be latched in the latching recesses 2 yand 3 y, whereby the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the latching parts 5 t arefirst pressed toward the inside of the casing 1 from the outside of thecasing 1 to unlatch the latching parts 5 t from the latching recesses 2y and 3 y, and then the base part 5 a of the holder is pulled out.

An operation part 6 which is a molded article made of synthetic resinincludes a rectangular sealing part 6 a, a recess 6 b formed in thesealing part 6 a, and an engaging part 6 c having spring propertieswhich extends from one end of the sealing part 6 a, as shown in FIGS. 26and 27.

The operation part 6 is accommodated by the holder 5 in theaccommodating section 1 a of the casing 1 in a state of being receivedin the first receiving part 5 h so that the recess 6 b opposes theoperating slot 2 i of the top cover 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

When the operation part 6 is accommodated, the upper and lower surfacesof the operation part 6 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and3, side surfaces abut against the first guide 5 i, and the engaging part6 c is engaged with the recess 5 j.

That is, the operation part 6 is slidably mounted without entering intothe operating slot 2 i of the top cover 2 and the discrimination hole 3n of the bottom cover 3.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation part 6 is at a positionnear the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3 n is closed bythe sealing part 6 a of the operation part 6 to prevent a detection pin(not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from entering thediscrimination hole 3 n, whereby the information can be written on thedisk D. When an operating tool (not shown) is passed through theoperating hole 2 i to be engaged with the recess 6 b of the operationpart 6, and the operation part 6 is slid along the operating slot 2 i inthe direction to separate from the front of the casing 1, the operationpart 6 slides using the first guide part 5 i as a guide and the engagingpart 6 c engages with another recess 5 j, whereby the operation part 6is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 6 a of the operation part 6 opens thediscrimination hole 3 n and enables the entry of the detection pin so asto protect the disk D from having information written thereon.

In this way, the sliding movement of the operation part 6 determineswhether or not information can be written on the disk D.

The operation part 6 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shown inFIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When theoperation part 6 is disposed on the right side, as will be understoodfrom FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2 n is provided in the topcover 2 and the operating slot 3 i is provided in the bottom cover 3.Therefore, the operation part 6 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down,as shown in FIG. 2, and whether or not information can be written on thedisk D can be arbitrarily determined by selecting the top or the bottomside of the casing 1.

An operation element 7 which is a molded article made of synthetic resinincludes a rectangular sealing part 7 a, a recess 7 b formed in thesealing part 7 a, a through hole 7 c formed in the sealing part 7 a inparallel with the through hole 7 b, and an engaging part 7 d havingspring properties which extends from one end of the sealing part 7 a, asshown in FIGS. 28 and 29.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the operation element 7 is received in thereceiving part 5 k and is accommodated in the accommodating section 1 aof the casing 1 in a state where the recess 7 b opposes the operatingslot 2 j of the top cover 2, the blocking part 2 m of the top cover 2 isinserted into the through hole 7 c, and the through hole 7 c opposes thehole 3 q of the bottom cover 3.

When the operation element 7 is accommodated, the movement of theoperation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2 m, the holder 5cannot be removed from the casing 1, the upper and lower surfaces of theoperation element 7 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and 3,side surfaces abut against the second guide part 5 m, and the engagingpart 7 d is engaged with the recess 5 n.

That is, the operation element 7 is mounted without entering into theoperating slot 2 j of the top cover 2 and the discrimination holes 3 pand 3 q of the bottom cover 3.

When the disk D is accommodated in the casing 1 and the movement of theoperation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2 m as describedabove, the checking for defective regions of the disk D has beencompleted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation element 7 is at a positionnear the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3 p is closed bythe sealing part 7 a of the operation element 7 to prevent the detectionpin (not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from enteringthe discrimination hole 3 p so that the completion of the checking fordefective regions of the disk D is detected.

The user, however, may desire to replace the disk D in the casing 1 withanother disk D from necessity.

In this case, the blocking part 2 m is first broken by the operationtool (not shown) from behind the hole 3 p or the blocking part 2 m so asto allow the holder 5 and the operation element 7 to be removed from thecasing 1.

When the holder 5 is removed from the casing 1, the operation element 7is pulled out by the second receiving parts 5 k and the disk D is pulledout by the elastic arms 5 b. After the replacement of the disk D withanother disk D, the second disk D and the operation element 7 areaccommodated again in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1together with the holder 5.

The accommodated second disk D is not subjected to checking fordefective regions. Therefore, when the operation tool (not shown) ispassed through the operating slot 2 j to be engaged with the recess 7 bof the operation element 7, and the operation element 7 is slid alongthe operating slot 2 j in a direction to separate from the front of thecasing 1, the operation element 7 slides using the second guide part 5m, and the engaging part 7 d engages with another recess 5 n, wherebythe operation element 7 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 7 a of the operation element 7 opens thediscrimination hole 3 p and enables the entry of the detection pin so asto determine that defective regions of the disk D have not beendetected.

When a defective region of the disk D is detected by the disk drivingapparatus in the state shown in FIG. 8, the casing 1 is removed from thedisk driving apparatus, and the operation element 7 is slid by theoperation tool so as to bring about the state shown in FIG. 6.

Thereafter, it is determined that the checking for defective regions ofthe disk D has been completed.

The operation element 7 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shownin FIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When theoperation element 7 is disposed on the right side, as will be understoodfrom FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2 p is provided in the topcover 2 and the operating slot 3 j is provided in the bottom cover 3.Therefore, the operation element 7 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down,as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the blocking part 3 m is broken so as toenable the movement of the operation element 7 and to determine whetheror not the checking for defective regions has been completed.

The blocking parts 2 m and 3 m may be provided separately from the topand bottom covers 2 and 3.

In this case, holes 2 q and 3 q may be provided at the positions of theblocking parts 2 m and 3 m, and separate blocking parts 2 m and 3 m maybe inserted into the holes 2 p and 3 q. Assembling of such a diskcartridge is completed by combining the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 toform the casing 1, by accommodating the disk D, the operation part 6,and the operation element 7 in the casing 1, and then by mounting theseparate blocking parts 2 m and 3 m. This facilitates manufacture of theoptical disk cartridge.

As described above, the optical disk cartridge can be accuratelyassembled by the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing1 and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 atthe time of replacement of the disk D, and the top and bottom faces ofthe holder 5 or the optical disk cartridge can be securely identified bythe identification mark 5 p when assembling the holder 5 or when usingthe optical disk cartridge.

When the optical disk cartridge constructed as described above is loadedon a disk driving apparatus 8, the shutter 4 is moved to open theclamping windows 2 s and 3 s and the reading and writing windows 2 t and3 t, as shown in FIG. 10.

When the disk D is loaded, the detection pins (not shown) enter into thediscrimination holes 3 n and 3 p, respectively, to determine whether ornot information can be written on the disk D and whether or not thechecking for defective regions has been completed. In addition, a table9 is rotated about a fulcrum 9 a to allow a spindle 10 a of a motor 10attached on the table 9 to be inserted into a hole of the disk D and toallow a hub 10 b to abut against the face of the disk D, whereby thedisk D is clamped.

An optical head 11 is moved in the vertical direction E shown in FIG. 11with the disk D rotated by the motor 10 so as to write information onthe disk D or read information from the disk D.

The outer diameter of the hub 10 b generally ranges from 25 to 29 mm. Inconsideration of this, the width H of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 sin the horizontal direction F is ±2 mm of 27.4 mm. Moreover, since thehub 10 b moves in a circle about the fulcrum 9 a of the table 9, thediameter G of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the vertical directionE is ±2 mm of 28 mm.

By enlarging the size of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in thevertical direction E, the hub lob can be prevented from colliding withthe casing 1 during the circular motion thereof. In addition, byreducing the size of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the horizontaldirection F, the amount of movement of the shutter 4 can be secured.

A second embodiment of the optical disk cartridge of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 34.

A casing 1 includes an accommodating section 1 a for accommodating adisk D and consists of a top cover 2 and a bottom cover 3, as in thecase of the first embodiment.

Side walls 2 a of the top cover 2 are provided with a pair ofincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A, each consisting of aprojection, located in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1,and side walls 32 of the bottom cover 3 are provided with a pair ofstopper recesses 15 at an inner part of the accommodating section 1 afrom the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A. A space S is formedbetween the top of each of the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections Aand the inner wall of a wall 3 a of the bottom cover 3.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A may be provided on the topcover 2, the stopper recesses 15 may be provided in the top cover 2, andthe space S may be formed between the top of each of theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and the inner wall of the wall2 a of the top cover 2.

A holder 5 includes a base part 5 a, a pair of elastic arms 5 v formedwith slits 5 u so that there is elasticity on both sides of the basepart 5 a, a pair of incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B, eachconsisting of a projection, provided on a side portion of each ofelastic arms 5 v, and a pair of convex fallout-preventing sections 5 wprovided on a side portion of each of the pair of elastic arms 5 v.

When the holder 5 is correctly inserted into the casing 1, theincorrect-insertion-preventing section B does not engage with theincorrect-insertion-preventing section A, and the holder 5 can beinserted into an inner part of the accommodating section 1 a through thespace S, as shown in FIG. 33.

In the correct insertion of the holder 5 into the casing 1, thefallout-preventing sections 5 w first abut against theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B. When the holder 5 is furtherinserted, the elastic arms 5 v are pressed in while deflecting inward,and the fallout-preventing sections 5 w pass over theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A to engage with the inner partof the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A, thereby preventing theholder 5 from falling out of the casing 1. In addition, theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B strike the stopper recesses 15to prevent further insertion of the holder 5.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the fallout-preventingsections 5 w are pressed from the outside of the side walls of thecasing 1 to disengage the fall-out-preventing sections 5 w and theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and then, the holder 5 ispulled out of the casing 1.

When the holder 5 is incorrectly inserted with the top and bottom facesreversed, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5strike the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A provided in theaccommodating section 1 a to block the insertion of the holder 5 intothe casing 1, whereby incorrect insertion of the holder 5 can beprevented.

The optical disk cartridge of the present invention includes a casinghaving the accommodating section 1 a, and the holder 5 capable ofinsertion and removal of the disk D into and from the accommodatingsection 1 a while holding the disk D, and the holder 5 is provided withthe incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B for preventing incorrectinsertion of the holder into the casing with respect to top and bottomfaces thereof. Therefore, the holder 5 can be securely and correctlyinserted into the casing 1 with respect to top and bottom faces thereof,and the disk D can be correctly inserted with respect to top and bottomfaces thereof.

The top and bottom faces of the optical disk cartridge of the presentinvention can be distinguished at a glance.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and B are formed byproviding recesses in one of the holder 5 and the casing 1, andproviding projections in the other of the holder 5 and the casing 1.Therefore, the construction of the optical disk cartridge can besimplified, and excellent manufacturing properties can be obtained.

The holder 5 has the base part 5 a exposed from the casing 1, theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B are provided on the base part5 a, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A are provided on thefront wall of the casing 1, and the incorrect-insertion-preventingsections B are exposed from the casing 1 so as to be distinguished fromthe outside of the casing 1. Therefore, the direction of insertion ofthe disk D can be visually determined, and excellent assembly propertiescan be obtained. In particular, the optical disk cartridge is suitablyused in the replacement of the disks D.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and B are formed using theside wall 2 b of the casing 1 in the thickness direction. When anattempt is made to prevent the incorrect insertion of the holder 5 usingthe top face or the bottom face of the casing 1, the incorrect insertionmay not be securely prevented due to the deflection of the top face orthe bottom face. However, when the attempt to prevent the incorrectinsertion of the holder 5 is made using the side wall 2 b of the casing1 in the thickness direction, the top surface or the bottom surface ofthe casing 1 does not deflect, and the incorrect insertion of the holder5 can be securely prevented.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1, eachconsisting of projection, are provided on the side walls located in theaccommodating section 1 a of the casing 1, and theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5, eachconsisting of projection, are provided on the side portions of theholder 5. Therefore, the incorrect insertion of the holder 5 can bedistinguished when the holder 5 is slightly inserted, the holder 5 isnot fretted at the beginning of the insertion thereof, and excellentspace factor is obtained.

The casing 1 has the top cover 2 and the bottom cover 3 forming top andbottom sides, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of thecasing 1 engageable with the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections Bof the holder are provided on one of the top cover 2 and the bottomcover 3, the spaces S through which the incorrect-insertion-preventingsections B of the holder 5 are passable are provided between the tops ofthe incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1 and thetop cover 2 or the bottom cover 3, and the holder 5 is prevented frombeing incorrectly inserted with respect to the top and bottom facesthereof by a state where the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections Bof the holder 5 are passable through the spaces and a state where theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 engage withthe incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1.Therefore, the construction of the optical disk cartridge can besimplified, excellent manufacturing properties can be obtained, and theoptical disk cartridge is inexpensive. In addition, the incorrectinsertion of the holder 5 can be distinguished after it is inserted by acertain degree, the holder 5 is not fretted at the beginning of theinsertion thereof, and excellent space factor is obtained.

The holder 5 has the base part 5 a, elastic arms 5 v formed with slitsso that there is elasticity on the base part 5 a, and convexfallout-preventing sections 5 w provided on the side portions of theelastic arms 5 v, and the fallout-preventing sections 5 w pass over theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1 to engage withthe incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1 to therebyprevent the holder 5 from falling out of the casing 1. Therefore, thestructure of the fallout-preventing sections 5 w is simplified, and theholder 5 can be securely prevented from falling out of the casing 1.

The casing 1 is provided with the stopper recesses 15 so that, in theinsertion of the holder 5 into the casing 1, after thefallout-preventing sections 5 w have passed over theincorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1, the holder 5abuts against the stopper recesses 15 so as to prevent further insertionof the holder 5. Therefore, damage of the disk D due to excessiveinsertion of the holder 5 can be prevented.

The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 abutagainst the stopper recesses 15 so as to prevent further insertion ofthe holder 5. Therefore, the construction of the optical disk cartridgecan be simplified, the optical disk cartridge is inexpensive, andexcellent space factor can be obtained.

The top and bottom faces of the base part 5 a are formed withidentification marks 5 p for identifying top and bottom faces.Therefore, the top and bottom faces of the optical disk cartridge can besecurely identified, and the cartridge can be conveniently used.

Each of the identification marks 5 p is formed by a device foridentifying the top and bottom faces tactilly. Therefore, the top andbottom faces of the cartridge can be identified tactilly.

Each of the identification marks 5 p consists of an elliptical recess 5q, and projections 5 r formed in the recess 5 q with different numbersfor the top and bottom faces. Therefore, the construction of thecartridge can be simplified, the thickness of the cartridge can bereduced within the range of the thickness of the holder 5, and excellentproductivity can be obtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk cartridge comprising: a casinghaving an accommodating section to store a disk, the casing havingincorrect-insertion-preventing abutment sections; and a holder includinga pair of elastic arms, elastic portions, and an insertion end insertedinto the accommodating section, the holder capable of insertion andremoval of the disk in an inserting/removing direction into and fromsaid accommodating section while holding the disk between the pair ofelastic arms, each of the elastic portions having a base part and anoutward-projecting fallout-preventing section, each base part having anoutward-projecting incorrect-insertion-preventing protrusion displacedin a thickness direction, the outward-projecting fallout-preventingsections being formed more distal to the insertion end than theincorrect-insertion-preventing protrusions; wherein the elastic portionsare disposed at ends opposite to inserting ends of both sides of theholder extending along the inserting/removing direction with respect tothe accommodating section, the incorrect-insertion-preventing abutmentsections are formed at both side walls opposing against each of theelastic portions, the incorrect-insertion-preventing abutment sectionspermitting the incorrect-insertion-preventing protrusions to be fullyinserted into the accommodating section by establishing an intervalbetween the incorrect-insertion-preventing protrusions and theincorrect-insertion-preventing abutment sections in the thicknessdirection when an uninverted holder is inserted into the accommodatingsection and preventing an inverted holder from being fully inserted intothe accommodating section by the incorrect-insertion-preventingprotrusions abutting against the incorrect-insertion-preventing abutmentsections, and when the holder is normally inserted, thefallout-preventing sections ride over the incorrect-insertion-preventingabutment sections while flexing the elastic portions, and upon completeinsertion of the holder, the fallout-preventing sections are engagedwith the incorrect-insertion-preventing abutment sections to prevent theholder from falling out of the accommodating section.
 2. An optical diskcartridge according to claim 1, wherein saidincorrect-insertion-preventing abutment sections are exposed from saidcasing and distinguishable from the outside of said casing.
 3. Anoptical disk cartridge according to claim 2, wherein top and bottomfaces of said base part are formed with identification marks foridentifying top and bottom faces.
 4. An optical disk cartridge accordingto claim 3, wherein each of said identification marks is formed by ameans for identifying the top and bottom faces tactilly.
 5. An opticaldisk cartridge according to claim 3, wherein each of said identificationmarks consists of an elliptical recess, and projections formed in saidrecess with different numbers for the top and bottom faces.
 6. Anoptical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said casing isprovided with a stopper section so that, in the insertion of said holderinto said casing, after said fallout-preventing section has passed oversaid incorrect-insertion-preventing section of said casing, said holderabuts against said stopper section so as to prevent further insertion ofsaid holder.
 7. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 6, whereinthe incorrect-insertion-preventing section of said holder abuts againstsaid stopper section so as to prevent further insertion of said holder.